Device to prevent mouth-breathing



R. H. JEFFERIES. DEVIGE TO PREVENT MOUTH BREATHING.

'- APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. I919.

Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

'E'EEIL g i t m M m a Zifidff i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD H. JEFFERIES, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

DEVICE TO PREVENT MOUTH-BREATHING.

Application filed December 4, 1919.

To all whom it may concern.

4 Be it known that I, RToT-IARD H. Jnrrnnms, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices to Prevent Mouth-Breathing; and I do de clare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains, to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for preventing mouth breathing and one object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical device which will eliminate the habit of breathing through the mouth and at the same time will assist in harmonizing the facial features of the wearer, by more evenly balancing the muscles of expression.

WVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and the arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

I attain these objects by constructing the form as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1, is a view showing the application of my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the form.

Similar reference numerals similar parts throughout the several views.

Reference is now had to the drawing in which the device is shown comprising a single sheet of material, preferably silk, although I may well use cotton fiber material or even paper.

The central portion 1 of the sheet is solid and of sufficient size to cover the lips of a wearer. The portions of the sheet above and below the central portion are provided with longitudinal slits. These slits are formed to provide upper and lower strips 2 and 3 respectively, said strips being connected at their outer ends by two transverse strips 4 which are formed by cutting out at each end of the solid central portion a comparatively large piece of the sheet.

The central portion 1 and the upper and lower strips are connected by the short necks 5 which serve to retain the parts in proper relative osition.

One fiice of the entire sheet is covered Specification of Letters Patent.

designate I Patented Oct. 5,1920.

Serial No. 342,374.

with a suitable adhesive substance to permit attaching the sheet to the face. Each end 6 of the upper strip 2 is extended beyond the extreme end of the sheet to form an ear which may be easily lifted when it is desired to remove the sheet or form.

In using the device the lips are closed and the central portion 1 of the form is placed thereon, thereby holding them in proper position. The upper and lower strips are then attached to the portions of the face above and below the lips and the end strips 4 are attached to the cheeks, the sheet being of such a length as to cover the muscles controlling the expression of the face. The sheet is slightly curved throughout its length so as to conform with the curve of the alveolus of the jaws and teeth thereby providing a natural corrective for irregularities of the teeth said sheet and lips, acting as an elastic band on the front of the teeth while the elasticity of the tongue creates a slight outward pressure on them.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing the construction and application of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and dimensions may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention.

I claim:

A device of the character described formed from a substantially rectangular strip of adhesive material cut longitudinally in spaced relation to the ends and upper and lower sides to provide a solid central portion and bordering strips, and carrying strips connecting the central portion with the bordering strips, certain of said carrying strips extending from the upper and lower edges of the central'portion at a point intermediate its length and the remaining carrying strips extending diagonally from the corners of the central por tion to the end portions of the upper and lower bordering strips.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RICHARD H. J EFFERIES. 

